Fake cops, lawyers arrested for extorting money

The crime branch of Delhi Police have arrested four men and busted a racket that of fake police officers and public prosecutors that allegedly extorted money from prominent personalities on the pretext of settlement against non-bailable warrants issued against them in cases filed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Four members of a gang were arrested for allegedly attempting to extort money from an internationally renowned Indian Kathak dancer, police said on Sunday.

The crime branch of Delhi Police have arrested four men and busted a racket that of fake police officers and public prosecutors that allegedly extorted money from prominent personalities on the pretext of settlement against non-bailable warrants issued against them in cases filed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The four members of the gang were arrested for allegedly attempting to extort money from an internationally renowned Indian Kathak dancer, police said on Sunday. The accused were identified as Sandeep alias Dev,26, who is the kingpin of the racket, Sanjay Pandey, 28, Dharmender,20, and Sultan alias Imran, 24.

Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of police (crime), said the arrests came following investigation into a complaint filed by the Indian classical dancer. In her complaint, Yadav said, the complainant told them that a few weeks ago, she had received a call in which the caller identified himself as one sub-inspector (SI) Rajvir Singh from Delhi Police posted with the warrant cell at Tis Hazari Courts.

“The caller told her that a warrant of arrest had been issued against her. During the conversation, the caller directed her to contact a lawyer, Radhe Shyam Verma, who was dealing with her case. She contacted Verma who introduced himself as a public prosecutor,” said Yadav.

Rajvir later informed her that she owed `67,051 to the RBI for which a case had been filed against her. The complainant on checking at Tis Hazari Court, found that no such case had been filed. Thereafter, she filed a complaint with the police who launched a probe, said the joint CP.

During the probe, investigators learnt that one VP Tripathi from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur was also extorted in a similar trick. The account details and call details of the mobile numbers used for contacting the two complainants were examined.

“The accounts were opened on forged documents and fake identities. We zeroed down on the suspects through electronic surveillance and with the help of our informers. Pandey was the first one to be arrested. At his instance, the other three accused were nabbed,” said Yadav.